СА 15-3 - Carbohydrate, carcinogenic antigen (blood)

General Information

CA 15-3 Carbohydrate, Carcinoma Antigen

Breast carcinoma is one of the most common forms of breast cancer. These tumors often produce mucinous antigens, which are high-molecular-weight glycoproteins. CA 15-3 is a carbohydrate antigen-associated antigen of the breast, which is encoded by the MUC-1 gene.

AC 15-3

Carbohydrate antigen is mainly used to monitor breast cancer treatment in the presence of metastases. The marker study is not performed in isolation, but its data are considered in conjunction with clinical, anamnestic, instrumental and laboratory research data. CA 15-3 carbohydrate antigen is also used for postoperative surveillance of invasive breast cancer tumors.

In addition to breast cancer, serum levels of CA 15-3 carbohydrate antigen may be elevated in lung, colon, pancreas, liver, ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers.

The main limitation of the study is the fact that in the early stage of the tumor, the increase of the marker is not observed, therefore it is not used for screening.

Serial testing helps detect recurrence early in previously treated stage II and III breast cancer patients.